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Caribbean Port Cities

Basseterre, St Kitts

Although St. Kitts might be diminutive in size – just 68 square miles – it makes up for it in beauty. There are unspoilt beaches of white or soft black volcanic sand, spectacular mountains with forests, waterfalls and brilliant tropical flowers, and close to the busy little capital, Basseterre, the impressive site of Brimstone Hill Fortress, standing some 700 feet above the Caribbean Sea.

Belize City, Belize

Belize is an eco-tourist’s dream with more than 40% of the country devoted to parks and nature reserves and the world’s second longest barrier reef protecting the unspoilt beaches. So get out and explore – trekking through the rainforests, floating through fantastic caves on an inner tube, diving or snorkelling over the reef, or horse riding through the jungle.

Bridgetown, Barbados

St. Lucia is everything you’d want a tropical island to be with long sandy beaches, tiny coves hidden away under the cliffs and a lush interior of rainforests, waterfalls and, believe it or not, the world’s only drive-in volcano. Take a boat trip to the Pitons, two towering peaks rising sheer from the sea and, surely, one of the most photographed landmarks in the Caribbean.

Castries, St. Lucia

Costa Maya, Mexico

The port of Costa Maya was purpose-built for fun… with a touch of Mexican fiesta added for good measure. Step ashore and you’ll find shops, bars, restaurants and a huge saltwater pool, while close by, Mahahual has a great beach and gin-clear water for swimming and snorkelling. And, this being Yucatan, you’re not far from the impressive Mayan ruins at Chacchoben.

Cozumel, Mexico

This tiny tropical isle is just 12 miles off the coast of mainland Mexico and packs a lot of action into its diminutive size. Beaches? Of course, and superb diving over the corals of Palancar Reef, as well as 4x4 adventures in the dense jungles of the interior. Go shopping in San Miguel, where mariachi music and ice-frosted margaritas tempt you into laid- back bars.

George Town, Grand Cayman

Spanish conquistadores, British colonisers, shipwrecked sailors and pirates have all made their mark on Grand Cayman and now it’s your turn. Find your own treasure in the duty-free shops of George Town or on wonderful Seven Mile Beach – not quite that long, but who’s counting? And take to the water – diving over wrecks, snorkelling or even ‘submarining’ are a must.

Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas

How do you like your Bahamas? Well, Grand Bahama Island has it all. There are beautiful white sand beaches, miles of park trails though nature reserves and a cave system to be explored. Fancy a little shopping – the International Bazaar and Port Lucaya Marketplace will keep you happy. And for a change of pace you could play golf, go gambling or enjoy water sports in the clear, warm seas.

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Great Stirrup Cay is NCL’s private Bahamian island, home to sandy beaches, palm trees and clear waters in a peaceful cove… and you, for one day of sheer beachside indulgence. Snooze the day away in a hammock, enjoy an island barbecue, take out a kayak or sailboat and check out the local inhabitants – schools of madly colourful fish – on a guided snorkelling tour over the reef.

Key West, Florida

Is it America… is it the Caribbean? No, it’s Key West and the end of the 100-mile-long Overseas Highway that skips across tropical islands, causeways and bridges. Check out the gingerbread houses, drink in the bar where Hemingway drank, or take a fun ride on the Old Town Trolley and you won’t miss a thing.

Miami, Florida

Famous for its year-round sunshine and miles of white sand beaches, Miami’s a great place to soak up some rays. Chill out in chic South Beach with its pastel-painted art deco buildings and people-watching pavement cafés, or head inland to the swamps of the Everglades, where alligator watching is more the thing.

Nassau, Bahamas

Although Columbus passed this way, it was the British who made their mark on New Providence island building forts to protect their possessions from pirates. Some things don’t change and you could still find treasure snorkelling for pearls at Pearl Island; but some things do and on aptly named Paradise Island, discover Atlantis, one of the most fantastic resort hotels imaginable.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Like a phoenix risen from the ashes, New Orleans is back on the map and is as exciting and happening as ever. Take a stroll through the French Quarter or past the aristocratic homes in the Garden District; dine out on fabulous Creole cuisine and head for the hurly-burly of Bourbon Street and Preservation Hall for all that jazz.

New York, New York

Even if you’ve never been before, you’ll feel like you know it from countless movies and TV programmes. The Manhattan buzz is like nowhere else. Whether you’re shopping on Fifth Avenue, strolling up Broadway, checking out the sensational museums and galleries or taking it all in from high atop the Empire State Building, you’ll agree… it’s a wonderful town.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Jamaican sunshine and the catchy rhythms of reggae welcome you to “Ochee” on the island’s northern coastline. It’s a pretty spot with some great colonial buildings. But chances are you’ll want to get out and about – climbing Dunn’s River Falls that cascade 600 feet to the sea, rafting the Martha Brae River or discovering the beautifully lush countryside and beaches.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

St. Maarten/St. Martin may be half-French, half-Dutch, but with so much to enjoy from the beautiful beach at Mullet Bay to fabulous duty-free shopping in Philipsburg and Gallic pavement cafés in Marigot, you just won’t spot the join. See it all aboard the cocktail-fuelled Macarena Party Bus or check out the marine life on an undersea adventure.

Port Canaveral, Florida

Forget fly-cruise, think space-cruise, as Port Canaveral is just minutes from Kennedy Space Center, where you can spend a fascinating day following the progress of the space race. An hour’s drive brings you to Orlando and all the theme park fun and excitement you can handle, while nature lovers may prefer an airboat adventure on the protected wetlands of the Everglades.

Roatán, Bay Islands

First the geography – Roatán is one the three Bay Islands some 30 miles off the coast of Honduras and it’s about 30 miles long and two wide. Now what you really want to know – it’s got gorgeous beaches backed by tropical forests, sensational diving and snorkelling over the beautiful Belizean Reef and adventures like kayaking, horse riding and hiking the jungle trails.

Samaná, Dominican Republic

Set on the north shore of the Dominican Republic, Samaná is sort of off the beaten track and all the better for it. Pack your mask and fins, as there’s fantastic diving from the pristine beaches; saddle up and ride, or hike, to a mountain pool in the rainforest; take a cruise through the mangroves and tell the tale of the ‘one that got away’ after a deep sea fishing adventure.

Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala

Think Caribbean and Guatemala may not come first to mind, but once you’ve seen Santo Tomas it will be up there with your favourites. So, don your Indiana Jones hat and explore fantastic Mayan ruins, paddle a kayak up the Chipilingo River and take a walk on the wild side on bridges suspended high in the canopy of the tropical rainforest.

St. John’s, Antigua

They say Antigua has 365 beaches and who are we to quibble when just one or two will give you all the Caribbean fun and relaxation you could want? For a change of pace, Nelson’s Dockyard is a must with its Georgian maritime buildings and English Harbour, where the British fleet once anchored, before you take in the ocean view from Shirley Heights.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Mention the island of St. Thomas and, chances are, shopping comes to mind, as the former warehouses along the waterfront of Charlotte Amalie are packed with duty-free luxury goods. And if retail therapy’s not your thing, chill on beautiful beaches like Magen’s Bay, escape to the neighbouring island of St. John, or why not take a trial scuba diving lesson – it’s great fun.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Most people here head straight for the great bays and beaches and no wonder – the white sands and crystal-clear waters are just made for lazy days in the sun. You can go swimming with dolphins, deep sea fishing (it’s a BVI obsession) and, on land, hike through Sage Mountain National Park, through forests of tropical hardwoods and exotic orchids.